Be a Recycling Champion

Recycling right conserves natural resources and helps eliminate waste from going to Lincoln’s landfills. It’s easy to make sure what you’re recycling is acceptable and ready to be processed into new materials. Follow these simple guides to make it a win-win!

The first step to success is to recycle the basics: paper, cardboard, cans, and plastic bottles and tubs. These essential items are the easiest to divert from the landfill and be processed to make into new products!

Make sure everything is empty and clean, as wet or dirty materials, or containers with food still inside, can cause other items in a load to not be accepted for recycling. Also, please place materials loose into the bins -- when items are wrapped up in bags, they’re difficult to sort at the processing centers.

Go for extra points. Want to get the most material recycled? Take plastic bags to supermarket collection sites, and glass bottles to city drop-off sites. Plastic bags are recyclable, but not by most processors; they need to go to facilities specially designed to handle them. Otherwise, plastic bags can tangle up in sorting equipment, causing delays. For glass, some curbside recyclers do not accept glass bottles and jars. By taking glass to city drop-off sites, you ensure it is remade into new materials; for example, most of it travels from Lincoln to Kansas City to be recycled into new beer bottles and fiberglass insulation.

Spread the Word

Lincoln is a city of champions, leaders of all kinds. They’re working to be recycling champions as well. Will you help grow the team? Share these videos with friends and family to show that you want them to recycle right too.